This archive report was first published on 8 July 2020.
As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, governments have implemented strict measures to curb its spread. One such measure is the mandatory use of face masks in public.
India, which has reported over 740,000 cases of COVID-19 as of July 8, 2020, is no exception. The Indian government has made it compulsory for citizens to wear face masks in public.
However, one Indian businessman has taken the precautionary measure to a whole new level. Shankar Kurhade, a 49-year-old businessman from Pune, has bought a $4,000 gold plated mask to protect himself from the virus.
According to Kurhade, he bought the mask not for publicity, but as a necessary precaution to ensure his safety. "It is a thin mask and has tiny pores that is helping me to breathe. I am not sure if it will be effective to protect me from a coronavirus infection but I am taking other precautions," he said.
Despite the hefty price tag, Kurhade's gold plated mask has become a talking point in his community. Many people have been requesting to take selfies with him, and he has become a local celebrity of sorts.
India's COVID-19 cases have topped 742,000, with over 20,000 fatalities as of July 8, 2020. Globally, the number of cases has surpassed 11.9 million.
